Editors' Review

PhraseExpress allows you to create many different types of macros to automate various tasks on your computer. While you may barely notice this program running in the background at times, it will quickly make your life much easier and can significantly reduce your total keystrokes each day.

Pros

Demonstration Macros: There are quite a few different Demonstration Macros included in this program that can give you an idea of what the app is capable of. Options include Date and Time, Data Picker, Multiple Choice Text, Mouse Cursor Control, Keyboard Layout Switching, and Automatic Email Creation.

Basic interface: As soon as you install and open this app, it begins running in the background and is accessible from the toolbar in the lower right-hand corner of your screen. Clicking the icon brings up a straightforward menu, with some options that expand to show other, more detailed menus. There are no bells and whistles to be found here, but the streamlined design is efficient and effective.

Cons

Learning curve: This app offers tons of functionality, but it can take some time to learn all of the ins and outs. This isn't the type of program you can just install and begin to use right away, but the effort you put in to learn how to use all of its features will be worth it in the end.

Bottom Line

PhraseExpress is a versatile and efficient program that can help you ease all types of repetitive tasks. It's completely free, and although it may take some getting used to, especially for novice users, the benefits are worth the effort in the end.

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Category

Publisher's Description

PhraseExpress eliminates repetitive typing and manages frequently used text snippets in customizable categories. Boilerplate templates can be stored together with bitmaps and RTF or HTML text formatting. The unique text prediction feature watches out for repetitive text patterns and offers to auto-complete such phrases. Smart algorithms analyze and learn your writing patterns, and suggest the most relevant ways to complete phrases and sentences. The Autotext feature allows assigning a frequently used text such as your address, your signature or a common phrase to a much shorter abbreviation. Whenever you type in the assigned abbreviation PhraseExpress will automatically replace it with the original text. For example, "ty" will be expanded to "thank you very much. Existing MS Office AutoCorrect entries can be imported for use in any Windows program, not just MS Office. PhraseExpress automatically recognizes unwanted Autotexts and suppresses the text replacement the next time you enter the Autotext.

The Clipboard Cache enhances the native Windows clipboard functionality by remembering all items that are copied to the clipboard and storing them for later pasting. PhraseExpress can optionally remove any text formatting from the clipboard contents. Powerful macro functions can add dynamic contents to static phrases such as the current date, counters or additional manual input. Phrases can be linked or nested. Macros can also launch programs or open documents triggered by shortcuts. Entering 'calc' may open the Windows calculator program or striking the hotkey CTRL-F8 may offer a Google search query of a highlighted text on-the-fly.

PhraseExpress is amazingly bulletproof.
It keeps getting better with each release, despite my thought "how can they possibly add more good featuures or improve it?"
The amount of time I save daily is stunning. Whether replacing a word or a phrase or a complete sentence, I get a real kick out of saving time and making more time for valuable things.
It's techie enough that it satisfies the geek in me without being so technical that I cannot use it.
It has room for me to build more macros and I just wish I had 2 lives to make use of this amazing software (ok, I am gushing but boy would I be upset if someone took this software from me).

Cons

I have to dig deep to find cons but I have tried many other macro softwares which I won't name in order to keep this professional. The only con I can think of is that sometimes the macros open in Word and I have not figured out how to save the macros in Word so they revert back into PhraseExpress. But this has only happened a few times and only on those macros that i saved in Word format.
The only other con is that the software Statistics show my saving $1,205 but this amount is very low and is not keeping tabs on when I bought the software some 7-8 years ago...this is a minor issue but I know that PhraseExpress has saved me at least $10,000 or more in the last 7-8 years, not $1,205.

Summary

PhraseExpress is an indispensable software that makes me far more efficient and allows me to remove the repetitive and mundane parts of my computer work out of my day. As a business owner, CAD worker, and designer, this software makes me more profitable as very few softwares can claim. I would be very, very upset to have to lose PhraseExpress, that is how valuable it is to my daily life.

Be EXTREMELY wary of this software. The devs decided to allow "complimentary" installations on three separate PCs now, but ONLY if you use the same installation method on BOTH PCs and have the same user name between both PCs.

I use both a portable installation at work (due to admin rights) and the full installer at home. Bartels Media REFUSED to assist me in getting a license up and running on my home PC installation and wanted me to buy another license instead. I had registered the license on my work PC, at the onset.

I cannot have the same user name on my home PC, because my work user name contains the network domain log in + my log in: for example, network\username is my log in for my work PC.

Obviously, having an official windows log in on my home PC (as registered with Microsoft), does not allow me to use my work user name.

The devs have coded their licensing to a Windows user name, which is a HORRIBLE idea. No other software that I know of operates in this manner.

Summary

Be EXTREMELY wary of this software. The devs decided to allow "complimentary" installations on three separate PCs now, but ONLY if you use the same installation method on BOTH PCs and have the same user name between both PCs.

I use both a portable installation at work (due to admin rights) and the full installer at home. Bartels Media REFUSED to assist me in getting a license up and running on my home PC installation and wanted me to buy another license instead. I had registered the license on my work PC, at the onset.

I cannot have the same user name on my home PC, because my work user name contains the network domain log in + my log in: for example, network\username is my log in for my work PC.

Obviously, having an official windows log in on my home PC (as registered with Microsoft), does not allow me to use my work user name.

The devs have coded their licensing to a Windows user name, which is a HORRIBLE idea. No other software that I know of operates in this manner. As Rob mentioned below, they are very arrogant and will do nothing to assist a customer in getting the software up and running if you do NOT fit within the tiny box of their licensing, no matter what the reason, legitimate or not. They will be processing a FULL refund for me and I will never support them again.

I might add that I had also contacted them in November of 2016 regarding ONE USER using the software on multiple PCs (at least two) and they were very unaccommodating. They are arrogant too.

Dear Kris, in a series of emails we tried our best to explain to you, that the free extra installations are provided on a complimentary basis at _well advertised_ requirements. We are sorry, if your setup cannot meet the requirements, but kindly ask for your understanding, that this is unrelated to our _support quality_. We answered any of your quesstions as soon and thoroughly as we can - We would appreciate if you would keep your promise regarding our request to include our entire communication in your review. It would help readers to better understand the situation and the overall tone you have approached us. We fully stand behind our support staff in this case and are very happy for the opportunity to issue a refund.

saves heaps of time saving repeated phrases. easy to use. Lots more function I haven't even touched on.

Cons

we shared cloud based phrase files between staff - which is great - but has recently stopped working, and the tech support from phrase express has been very poor resolving this. Very unengaged, don't give us the feeling they want to fix the problem - or even believe there is an issue! I don't think they have bad intentions, just not good at customer service.

We have become quite dependent on our shared phrases as a company - and we need better support when it goes wrong.

Summary

Seem like a small company with a good product, but inadequate tech support.

great for personal use, but if you want to share phrases with team members - and you care if it fails - go elsewhere.

Thank you for your compliments about PhraseExpress. Unfortunately, we are unable to associate your case to any support ticket based on the provided. We answer every single customer inquiry and would be very sorry, if you there is anything unresolved. Please allow us to fix that and contact us at http://contact.phraseexpress.com - We are eager to assist you.

* "It just works": Not sure why this is a "feature" or a "pro," but too many things do NOT these days so it was very appreciated here.
* Excellent customer service.
* Very flexible: Shortcuts can be customized in a number of ways from delimiters to hotkeys to form data.
* No noticeable impact to system performance.
* Sync of shortcuts across devices
* Clipboard snippets surprisingly useful
* Desktop pinning (of snippets)
* Works across applications without issue (to date)

Cons

* A bit of a learning curve: Flattens quickly aside from some advanced features
* On the expensive side for many (though for professionals, the value becomes clear quickly)
* Free version has very limited entries: Hard to complain given the price.
* Advanced features (Professional version) might be a bit difficult to master for non-coder types.

Summary

From the perspective of someone who got fed-up with an email (31 characters!) who needed shortcuts outside of the Office suite. Following references the "Professional" version, which I purchased.

I had long searched for an application such as PhraseExpress (PE) for Windows. Specifically, one that took note of keeping such phrases private (I'm looking at you, Win10) and cross-application functionality that stayed out of the way and didn't "break" anything therein. Admittedly, price was a factor here for what I took to be a "why doesn't Microsoft just add this to the OS?" After trying a number of other (often cheaper) alternative trial periods, I chose PE. 31 character email address is no fun (most of that being the domain), and filling out applications online is one of the most boorish activities one can inflict on oneself. SaS options like LastPass will do these automatically, but again, privacy was a key issue, here. This concern included the syncing mechanism (e.g. NOT Dropbox).

PE fit the above concerns brilliantly, was easy enough to use right out of the box and, I'm delighted to say, even more powerful with macros even for this non-coder. The sheer TYPES of snippets one can create is impressive and worth watching their demo videos for examples, and several are included for you to learn from. Study them. Lastly, customer service was quick to reply (within 24h on a weekend) and on point. Recommend hammering the trial to see if it's going to work how you do.

Good UI
Does not usually get in the way
Flexible usability options - many different use cases
Useful and concise macro language

Cons

Cost of new versions going up steadily, but have so far been able to justify it.

Summary

I have been using this product as a licensed user steadily over the last 4-5 years and it has consistently saved me significant time and reduced the tedium that would otherwise have been involved with storing, remembering, and/or locating small pieces of text needed to do my day-to-day work - often due to systems that are poorly integrated and need information to be manually passed from one system to another.

The macro language is quite flexible. You can, for example, use macros to convert the structure of the clipboard content before pasting (i.e. to replace carriage returns with commas to produce a CSV list), and dialogs can be used to insert variable values into a block of text on the fly (useful for pasting modified SQL queries to query databases, for example).

The product can also be used to automate keystroke sequences for things that don't have keyboard shortcuts, which is another side-benefit.

And, the clipboard cache is very helpful - it helps to not have to use a separate tool for this feature.

My job was to find a text expander for windows as our office uses macs and windows pcs. On the mac we are using textexpander (actual product name). phrasexpress is the perfect windows alternative. it has all main features of textexpander and offers even more. data can be shared. i can strongly recommend this tool.

Cons

i would use it on mac too if there would be such option. however, its a bit pricey.

You can tailor it to only start working in certain applications
Very flexible
Awesome number of options

Cons

None so encountered so far

Summary

I use this in a support type of environment where I host chats with people asking questions via a web-based console. This is a very simple use of the PhraseExpress product where I have a bank of standard responses I have programmed on my middle mouse button to allow me to select one from a menu to save me typing. I like the fact that you can tell PhraseExpress that you only want the features to kick in within a specific application... so unlike many keyboard macro facilities, it will not affect same key presses in other applications. Way to go!
It saved me so much time already. We're only touching the surface of this sophisticated product. I hope to experiment more in time. Keep up the good work guys.

I tried a lot text expansion tools- This one is it. Today, I ran into an issue and called them for help. They dialed in onto my computer with remote access and solved the issue (my fault) in no time. Thumbs up for the superb support!

Cons

I wish there would be a Mac version. The UI would benefit from an overhaul.

Summary

Software and support belongs to the best I have experienced in more than 20 years personal of computing.

Very poor and arrogant support.
The software tries to lock you in and makes it as difficult as possible to switch to other software
Messes up the copy/paste & drag/drop function of windows

Summary

I was a free user and after updating to version 11 I noticed that the copy & paste / drag & drop function did not work properly anymore when PhraseExpress was working. When I shut down PhraseExpress the troubles disappeared immediately. I asked for support and was prepared to pay for it. But the company send me a short and rude notice to buy an support ticket for 90 euro's. Not even a polite explanation. or inquiry what was the problem. When I wrote that it was disappointing that they ask so much money I received an insulting email from their support.

Later on I tried to ask if they would help me fix this if I would buy the software. They asked what was the problem but when I explained the problem they did not respond anymore. After several days I tried to remind them about the question and received a reply that they do not solve general computer problems and the purchase solely includes the right to use the software and pays development. The person replying clearly did not bother to read my email despite the fact that they asked me to explain the issue I was having.

So my general impression of support is that they do not care, do not read emails properly and are not prepared to help solving problems with their software unless you pay a lot per issue that is being caused by their software (even during the maintenance licence). I even just got a message telling me not to buy the software because they will not help me.

Dear Ronald, We are happy to explain that we care about our customers very much and you can verify this from many user reviews. We also entertain a public forum at http://forum.phraseexpress.com, showing you that we are happy to serve our customers. As we tried to explain to you, we kindly ask for your understanding, that our complimentary software does not include free support. Support is reserved to paying customers. While this is obvious to most users, we accept that your expectation varies. We please understand that we can do only so much. Our apologies for any inconvenience.

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